The 10 Scariest Things About Caring For An Grey Parrot

Caring for An grey Parrot For an African Grey Parrot

African grey parrots, like toddlers, can become bored easily and require mental stimulation to avoid behavior problems. Without it, they may become destructive or start screaming.

Highly intelligent, they are the best mimics among all species of parrots. They can understand human speech. They are at risk from the pet trade and habitat loss.

Feeding

The dietary needs of african grey parrots for adoption greys are a little different from the other psittacine species. They are omnivores however, they prefer seeds over fruits and vegetables.

In captivity in captivity, they are more likely than not to eat seeds and fruit. It is also crucial to monitor the quality and quantity of their diets as they are at risk of overweight and calcium deficiencies. Pellets or complete crumbles should make up 75% of a parrot's diet and it is recommended that they are purchased from reputable brands such as Harrisons, Murphy's or Vetafarm.

Ideally the diet should comprise pellets as well as fresh food. A good ratio is 60% pellets, 10 percent seeds and 30% fresh food. Silverbeet, kale and spinach are some of the best options. Native plants and spouting grasses such as dandelion-like greens, endive and okra are also beneficial. Avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and cauliflower as they contain high levels of oxalic acid, which hinder calcium absorption by the body.

Nuts are rich in nutrients however, they should be eaten in moderation because of their high fat content. They are high in protein, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals.

The rest of your diet should be an assortment of vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to stay clear of avocado as it is toxic to psittacines. Other foods that are toxic include alcohol, chocolate, coffee and raw potatoes. Similar to parrots, if a bird eats too many berries they may suffer from yeast-related issues in their digestive tract.

A balanced diet is a great option to keep an African grey parrot content and healthy. It is crucial to keep track of the bird's weight, and to introduce new foods in small amounts. It is beneficial to weigh the bird every day so that any changes can be observed and quickly corrected. Regularly offering the bird water is also a good idea. This will help prevent dehydration and bacterial infections. It is also essential to remove any uneaten food from the cage or play area as it can spoil and lead to health problems for your parrot.

Training

Parrots are extremely intelligent and are able to easily learn to speak, although they may require days or weeks to repeat back the words they hear. A well-trained parrot will also respond to cues and do simple tricks. These activities keep the bird's mind stimulated and prevent them from becoming bored. The boredom of birds can trigger unwelcome behaviors such as feather picking and destructive chewing. These problems require professional intervention.

It's important to nip over the bonding process early, because if a parrot becomes a devoted member of a family, it could become territorial and threatening to others. This could be dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as those who suffer from allergies. To avoid this, everyone in a household should spend time each day playing with the bird and playing with it in a variety of ways. This will make the bird more comfortable being handled by members of the family and lessen the chance that it will develop an overprotective behavior.

A parrot that is bonded to a single person will usually start biting and pecking at visitors or family members when they attempt to pet or touch it. To prevent this from happening, family members should each take turns petting the bird or putting it into its cage. If a bird is showing aggressive behavior it should be returned to its cage for some time and not handled until it calms down.

During petting sessions be aware of the areas that are considered "blood feathers" or "pinfeathers." These feathers are a source of blood supply, and could be bleed if touched. If a blood feather or pinfeather is found to be exposed to the elements, it should be clipped immediately and replaced by a new one.

Family members should also be taught to greet and say goodbye to the bird. The bird should be taught how to label toys or food. This will help the bird to learn to speak, and will also allow it to communicate with other family members without needing to be physically present.

Health

While the african grey parrot eggs for sale grey is one of the most intelligent parrots in the world, it can become bored easily and will engage in destructive behavior if not given enough toys or other opportunities to exercise its brain. It also needs a great amount of mental stimulation to avoid self mutilation, feather picking and excessive screaming. Parrots aren't cheap to have - the initial costs are high and they require constant new toys that are destroyed quickly, as well as food. They can also be prone to infections, which could be costly to treat.

These birds are extremely social and require a lot of interaction with humans, which includes hours of playing games, solving puzzles, and learning lessons. They also require hours of exercise and time out of cage each day to build strength and stay healthy. Their cage should be large enough to allow them to spread their wings and move from perch to perch. It should be constructed from nontoxic, non-toxic materials and clean. It should include a variety of kinds of perches, with different dimensions and heights and be able to change them. They also need a roost, usually a tall wooden post or a concrete perch at the corner of the cage.

The parrots should always have clean water and this should be refilled daily. They should be provided with an assortment of dark leafy greens, fruits and vegetables and should be restricted to no more than about 10% of their diet. They should be served a wide range of nuts and seeds, as well. The best quality formulated pellets or crumble should make up around 75% of the diet.

The majority of parrot health problems are caused by long-term nutritional imbalance. Minor problems will manifest as slow growth and development, bad quality plumage, or breeding performance. However, more marked changes will manifest as distinct diseases. Many of these issues can be avoided by regular check-ups from an avian vet and the proper management of diet.

Care

African greys need mental stimulation and lots of attention to be happy. If a parrot becomes bored, it can become depressed and show negative behaviors like aggression, self-mutilation or feather picking. It is essential to conduct regular veterinary examinations as well as fecal screening and vaccinations done to ensure that your pet is healthy.

african grey birds for sale greys are monogamous and form exclusive pair bonds that incubate eggs for 21 to 30 days. They care for the babies until they are about 10 weeks old. They are able to fly and are one of the most intelligent species of avian. They live long and are often able to outlive their human owners, making them popular pets worldwide.

They are extremely adaptable and can easily adjust to different environments however, they prefer a natural environment with lots cost of african grey parrot trees and perches to explore. They are able to use their feet with two faces facing back and two facing forward on each foot - to help to balance and perch, just like humans use their hands. Their beaks, which are short, are curved and have an upper mandible that can be placed over the lower. This allows them to crack open nuts, seeds and wood.

In the wild, African greys will eat fruits, nuts, seeds and dark leafy greens as a part of their balanced diet. But, seeds should make less than five percent of the diet total and should be supplemented by high-quality formulated pellets and crumbles that prevent the emergence of pickiness. They should also be provided with an assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked legumes and beans. Fresh water should be available and cage cleaning is essential every day. Supplements such as vitamin D and calcium may be necessary if the diet is not nutritionally complete.

The World Parrot Trust works tirelessly to protect Grey and Timneh parrots and their habitats, but their population is declining due to illegal trade and captive breeding. They are, however, protected under the Endangered Species Act in the United States as well as the Wild Bird Conservation Act. They also enjoy the highest level of protection under CITES. Learn more about these amazing birds in our parrot Encyclopedia!